Summary

Both primary schools are located in isolated, rural surroundings and in neither school have the pupils travelled far outside of their own communities, although the Scottish school organises visits to mainland Scotland when weather permits. The two schools are linked through eTwinning. English and French in both schools are taught to pupils of 9-11 years and is based on the use of live video conferencing acting as a stimulus to motivate the learners and, through the use of language by native speakers, as a model for the learners. They learn to introduce themselves in the other language, play games with each other and exchange drawings and data on their local surroundings. In their isolated communities the children have their first experience of otherness through this initiative, learn authentic language with live interlocutors and show real enthusiasm for the other language and culture. Their communicative skills have been recognised when moving into their secondary schools.